Provided

Kevin Stearns, photographed by a friend, during a hike and photography trip in Letchworth State Park, N.Y.

Cornell University photographer Kevin Stearns, 48, died Nov. 16 at Hospicare in Ithaca. Stearns, a native of Brooktondale, N.Y., was an artist with a lens whose work regularly graced these pages.

He had worked for University Photography for the past five years, first as office manager and then in the laboratory area before becoming a full-time staff photographer with the department in March 2004.

Stearns was an active member of the Cayuga Nature Photographers Club and pursued photography as a passionate hobby and career: as a university photographer and as a wedding photographer with his studio, Valois Photography.

In August 2005, Stearns published his first photography book, "The Finger Lakes Region of New York: A Photographic Portrait," which combined his love for the outdoors with his art.

Kevin Stearns

A summer swimming scene from lower Treman State Park in Ithaca.

Robert Barker, director of University Photography, said he and his colleagues "always appreciated Kevin's enthusiasm and love of life. He was the eternal optimist, which was infectious in our department.

"I will always admire the courage he expressed through his fight with cancer, especially during his final months. Kevin will be deeply missed by a very large community of friends."

On this page we present some of Kevin Stearns' personal favorite images, taken from the body of work he created at Cornell.